Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Civilians feared killed after reports of air strike on Nigerian market
Fears of civilian casualties have emerged following reports that Nigerian military jets struck a village market in the north-eastern region. The attack occurred near the border between Yobe and Borno states, during an operation targeting Islamist militants, as reported by Reuters and local sources. The Nigerian Air Force stated it conducted “mop-up” air strikes on “identified terrorist locations” in Borno State’s Jilli axis on Saturday, though it did not confirm the market was hit or the number of casualties.
Conflicting casualty figures reported
There are varying accounts of the number of people affected by the strike. Reuters cited Lawan Zanna Nur Geidam, a councillor in Yobe’s Geidam district, along with three residents and an international humanitarian official, claiming at least 200 civilians were killed. “It’s a very devastating incident,” Geidam said, adding that injured individuals were transported to hospitals in Yobe and Borno.
However, other Nigerian outlets such as the Sun and Punch reported that 10 people had died, with several injured. The Daily Trust contradicted this, quoting an eyewitness who said at least 56 fatalities were recorded, with 14 hospitalized. The market, which typically draws traders and buyers from surrounding communities, became a focal point for the conflict.
Government response and ongoing investigations
On Sunday, the Yobe State Emergency Management Agency shared “preliminary reports” of an incident at Jilli Market in Gubio local government area, noting that “casualties affected some marketers.” They mentioned that emergency teams were deployed but emphasized that details about the incident’s nature and casualty count remain unverified.
Brigadier General Dahiru Abdulsalam, representing Yobe state, stated that some residents from the Geidam LGA, bordering Gubio LGA in Borno, were impacted. Ahmed Ali, a 43-year-old trader, told Reuters he was injured in the blast. “I became so scared and attempted to run away, but a friend dragged me and we all lay on the ground,” he recounted.
Amnesty International’s Nigeria branch criticized the strike, asserting that it “killed over 100 people.” A post on X described the use of air raids as “unlawful, outrageous” and highlighted the military’s “shocking disregard for civilian lives.” This incident adds to a pattern in the region where military air operations against Islamist groups have mistakenly targeted civilians, including villages and displaced person camps, in recent years.
